The next year Erik surprised Gustave by showing signs of improvement. At last his constant lecture on why Erik couldn't hide from the world forever paid off. Gustave learned that for a while Erik had been corresponding with a man in India. He had sent him some of his drawings and the man was interest in Erik's work. He was offering Erik a large amount of money if he took on the design of a new temple he wanted to build as an offering to his recently deceased wife. Erik would oversee the beginning of the construction and would be free to go after he instructed a local architect how to proceed with the plans. There was also the potential for other assignments as well as the prestige of having worked in a land of unknown riches.

Gustave was glad that Erik would be traveling outside the Opera house, but he was saddened by the fact that he would be gone for a few years.

"I am not sure if I should do this Gustave." Erik told him.

"Nonsense. You must do this."

Gustave would not allow Erik to decline the offer. A chance such as this would surely not come twice.

"If you don't do it Erik, you will regret it forever." Gustave said. "And if you must regret something, regret having done it and not having had the chance and letting it slip by."

Erik smiled at his friend. He always knew what to say to him to get him to do what he wanted. Gustave had no way of knowing that it was his friendship that gave Erik the strength to attempt the unthinkable, to venture into the light. Unaware of what laid ahead of him Erik set out for strange lands. Seeking an opportunity for redemption from a life of ill will toward him, Erik left behind his home, and his only friend.

Gustave had no idea that in India Erik's life was not a good one. Yes, he obtained the commission and his boss was kind to him, but the workers were cruel and devious. They made Erik feel unwelcome and miserable. On the day of his arrival Erik found the courage to walk into the town's market. There he saw an item that reminded him of little Christine and he immediately bought it. The merchant flinched when Erik handed her the money and this made him rethink his actions. Later he found that the entire town talked about him behind his back. The people once more amused themselves by his monstrosity. He felt the eyes of many upon him wherever he went. Only a few days of suffering were enough for Erik to return to the safety of the night. He drew his plans in solitude and then had them delivered to the local architect. He wandered the streets only at night, and it was in one of these nights that he committed his first sin.

Sin was something Erik had learned about from reading the book in his father's library. Gustave also told him about sin a few times during their many conversations about life. Erik knew what a sin was, but he never thought he would ever succumb to one.

The woman was screaming, yet no one came out of their homes to help her. The man that was desperately tugging at her clothes placed one of his big hands on her mouth, and pushed her against the wall. He threw he with such force that the woman fainted from a head injury. Erik would later realize that he had grabbed a rock from the floor. He charged for the man and struck him forcefully in the head. The criminal fell to the floor. Erik became conscious of his action and let go of the rock in his hand. He then ran back to the security of his room, making sure no one saw him. In later days he would learn that the man had died from the hit to the head. Erik was a murderer.

Though other projects followed his first commission, Erik did not change his habits. He became even more retreated and thoughtful. The burden of his secret along with his solitude made him overly cautious and doubtful of everyone. He trusted no one, and he kept to himself at all times. He stopped writing to Gustave and refused to open his letters because he did not feel worthy of his friendship. Gustave was such an honest man, and Erik did not feel he deserved his trust. He was ashamed of having let his only friend down.

Depressed by the turn his life had taken Erik turned to the many addictions that a desolated man can find. He learned to wish bad to those who hurt him, and to think viciously. He drank his pain in alcohol and numbed his days with drugs. He found his way into a woman's bed and became aware of his manly functions. He had discovered the act of sex, but he never found the art of love. Love was a feeling that Erik could not dare contemplate, love was forbidden for a monster.

Inevitably, Erik found himself in the worst circles of murderers and criminals. They welcomed Erik without questions. Some even feared him. Erik was quite taken by the knowledge that he could inspire fear in people. He took this knew understanding as a compliment and found that he liked how it felt. It was almost as gratifying as being loved.

If two years away from the Opera house were sufficient time to turn him into a murderer, Erik dared not stay longer and see what else would become of him. He decided to return to the Opera house, but vowed to never again come into contact with anyone else. Especially Gustave and his daughter.